Unboxing Logistics

Are you taking advantage of the $100 of shipping insurance included for select USPS labels? Most businesses aren’t. They don’t file claims, leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Fortunately, there’s a way to recoup lost funds without the filing hassle. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Tyler Diestel joins Lori to share everything you need to know about EasyPost’s USPS Claims service. What is USPS Claims?Tyler explains, “USPS Claims is an amazing product that makes it easy for shippers to get money back … from [USPS]. Because we have a treasure trove of data, we can tell when a package is lost or damaged. … We're able to file claims … to help our shippers recoup [their money].”Why automate claims filing with EasyPost?Many merchants don’t file insurance claims because they don’t realize that shipping insurance is included in the label price. But for others, it’s simply a matter of time. “They don't have time to figure out which of their shipments are actually eligible. They don't have time to go in and file a claim for each of those shipments. They don't have time to follow up on the progress of those claims.”For these busy logistics teams, USPS Claims is a huge time saver.How the process worksGetting started with USPS Claims is easy—you can enroll in the program right from the EasyPost dashboard. While the process is almost entirely automatic, Tyler does note that if you don’t provide product values at label purchase, you’ll need to add that information after the fact. “As we go through our claims process and identify shipments that can be filed, we will send you an email saying, there are 20 shipments that need additional info … please log into the portal [and] fill it out.”When claims are approved, the funds go back into your EasyPost Wallet for future label purchases. LinksConnect with Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdiestel/ Learn more about USPS Claims by EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/usps-claims 

In August 2025, three innovative carriers announced a merger that will allow them to better serve their customers. ACI Logistix, First Mile, and Sendle are now FAST Group, an integrated logistics ecosystem. What does the merger mean for their customers? In this episode, Lori sits down with Keith Somers, the new CEO of FAST Group, to answer that question and get a behind-the-scenes look at FAST Group’s operations, culture, and values.What is FAST Group?The beauty of FAST Group is that it brings together three companies with different strengths, giving their customers access to more specialized shipping services.Keith explains, “Legacy ACI focused on the enterprise segment. [They] had high-volume sortation systems [and a] really efficient middle and last mile. … First Mile, their segment was SMB clients, so they had a really amazing first-mile pickup infrastructure. … Sendle had … built this amazing consumer experience platform.”Now that the three brands have joined forces, they’re a “one-stop shop for customers and clients of any size … [to] get customized pickup [and] delivery [from] anywhere to anywhere.”A shipping partner that grows with your businessFAST Group’s services are perfect for small businesses, major enterprises, and anything in between. Keith puts it like this: “Clients of any size can enjoy this now. And we [can] grow with a client. They could start in their garage, and maybe they're selling yoga pants and they're going to be the next lululemon. They could stay with us the entire journey.”Behind the scenes of the mergerWith the merger happening so close to peak season, it’s reasonable that shippers using ACI Logistix, First Mile, or Sendle might worry about service disruptions. But Keith shares several strategies FAST Group is implementing to keep things running smoothly.One key to their success? Staying focused.  “Integration can take 18 months or more. So you might think you're done, and you're not. … [You need to] ignore all the shiny objects, because there's a lot of opportunities, and you really stay focused and true to what that core mission is until that box is checked.”Links:Connect with Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-somers-71273b6/Learn more about FAST Group: https://fastgroup.co/

Neurodiverse people have amazing talents that help them shine in logistics roles, but they also face unique challenges that can make it difficult to thrive in the workplace. In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Dylan Telford and Jarlath Phelan from Summit Advisory Team share their personal experiences with neurodivergence. They and Lori discuss what neurodivergent people bring to the table, how they can be themselves, and what coworkers and leaders can do to foster inclusivity.Neurodivergence in the logistics industryLori starts the episode with a surprising statistic. According to a recent study, 58% of people in the logistics and supply chain industry identify as neurodivergent—more than double what you’d see in other industries!Jarlath’s reaction to the stat? “It makes a lot of sense. There's a lot of pattern recognition [in logistics]. There's a lot of creative thinking required …  it makes total sense that that's what neurodivergent people are drawn to.”The importance of being openAccording to Dylan, the best way for neurodivergent people to work well with neurotypical coworkers—and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts—is to communicate openly.He says, “When I got my diagnosis, I learned that the more open I was, the easier it was … to be part of a community of people that's all trying to make work … as easy as it can be for everybody.” For example, after hearing feedback about talking too much, Dylan began asking coworkers to interrupt him if he was getting off track, telling them, “You need to stop me when you have enough [information].”Leadership tips for creating an inclusive workplaceJarlath and Dylan both weigh in on what logistics leaders can do to help neurodivergent employees have great experiences at work. Jarlath’s request is simple: “Just treat me as an individual.” Dylan adds that while leaders should definitely make an effort to be inclusive of neurodivergent individuals, they also need to recognize that inclusive workplaces benefit everyone.“You're not creating quiet places to work in the office for people who are neurodivergent. You're creating quiet places in the office for people who may need time that is quieter … for what they do. And that could be anybody.”LinksConnect with Dylan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-telford-b7404769/ Connect with Jarlath on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarlathphelan/ Visit Summit Advisory Team’s website: https://summitadvisoryteam.com/

Blue Yonder recently released their 2025 Global Consumer Retail Returns Survey, and it’s jam-packed with insights. In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Lori sits down with Tim Robinson, senior vice president and general manager at Blue Yonder, to talk through the survey’s findings and offer practical suggestions for handling returns effectively.What to do with returned itemsAs Tim points out, most businesses automatically equate returned items with lost profits, assuming they’ll never be able to resell the products that customers send back. But with the right tools and strategies, this doesn’t have to be the reality.Tim explains, “The philosophical shift is [that] you have to consider these items assets. This is real-life inventory, which can be resold for full value on Wednesday.”He continues, “If you use technology to treat returning items in exactly the same way you would a brand new outbound item—i.e. you use technology to know where it is, what it is, when it's coming, to forecast [how] to sell it, to fulfill it, to ship it—then actually, [there’s] a very high likelihood that you'll be able to resell that item … for the vast majority of its [original] sale price.”The downside of “keep-it” returnsOne of the survey’s findings is that 2025 had fewer “keep-it” returns than 2024. Tim shares a possible reason why brands are avoiding this type of return.When a business lets someone keep an item, they’re sending a subtle message that the item is low-value. “It basically means it costs them more money to deal with it than its value. If you are the consumer, how does that make you feel about that item?”Should you tighten your returns policy before peak?With some shoppers taking advantage of generous return policies, many businesses have added stricter rules. Should you do the same? According to Tim, the months leading up to peak season aren’t the time to make changes. Instead, it’s best to focus on creating a great customer experience.“I definitely feel like this is not a time to tighten your policy. … This is not a time to … make it harder for people to shop, because ultimately we all survive and grow and thrive if consumers still feel compelled to shop at this time of year.” LinksConnect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-robinson-ceo/Visit Blue Yonder’s website: https://blueyonder.com/ The Global Consumer Retail Returns Survey: https://blueyonder.com/media/2025/blue-yonder-survey-stricter-returns-policies-deter-global-consumer-spending Survey infographic: https://blueyonder.com/resources/consumer-data-from-blue-yonder-can-help-retailers-optimize-returns

Last week, Lori Boyer and Tom Butt attended Parcel Forum, where EasyPost was the official AI in logistics sponsor. In addition to presenting on AI tools, Lori and Tom got a chance to talk with shippers about the problems they’re facing—and how artificial intelligence can help. They share their takeaways in this episode of Unboxing Logistics.The AI conversationTom noticed a pattern at Parcel Forum: businesses were curious about adopting AI logistics technology, but they weren’t sure whether to make the leap.He says, “Everyone … was talking and comparing notes and saying, ‘This AI thing, is it a buzzword? How are you guys using it? When is the starting gun going to go off?’”How AI helps with shippingAI is a powerful tool for collecting and analyzing data, but its capabilities go way beyond data analysis. For example, AI tools like Luma by EasyPost can identify weak areas in your shipping operations and suggest improvements.Tom gives an example. “[You can] see if there are … delays within your carrier network. Where are those occurring? Is it pre-transit exceptions, [where] you're printing a label, but it's not scanning into the carrier network?”“AI is going to help you identify where those exceptions are and potentially make some recommendations on how to address those things.”When to get started with AIOne of the biggest mistakes Tom sees shippers make is not getting started with AI now. By waiting for other businesses to lead the way, these hesitant players risk getting left behind. On the other hand, being an early adopter gives you a competitive edge.He says, “I can tell you right now, there's not going to be a starting gun. And those that adopt AI and start to build it into some methodologies, build it into frameworks, are going to have a head start and a leg up.”LinksConnect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombutt/Visit EasyPost’s website: www.easypost.com

AI has taken the world by storm, with top companies using it to optimize every part of their operations—including shipping and logistics. But it can be tricky finding an AI solution that actually solves your business problems. In this episode, Benjamin (Ben) Gordon, managing partner and CEO at Cambridge Capital, sits down with Lori to break down what AI can do, where it might fall short, and how to choose tools that work.The transformative power of AIBen believes that AI has the “capacity to totally transform not just logistics, but everything.” But when it comes to logistics, AI is particularly valuable. He explains, “AI is outstanding in areas that are process-intensive and … document-intensive.”Ben continues, “In the end, [AI will] be a tremendous source of productivity gain for companies that use it well.”Improving the brand experience with AIOften, Ben explains, “The supply chain is the weak link in the consumer brand experience.” AI can help change that.First, it’s a powerful tool for customer communication. “There's no excuse in the world of AI today to not have an instant answer to a customer question. ‘Where's my stuff?’ should never be [answered] with, ‘You know, we'll get back to you in two business days.’” Additionally, AI is one of the best ways to optimize shipping for reliability and timeliness.“What [businesses are] increasingly doing is using AI to look for patterns. For example, wouldn't it be good to know … that whatever ships out on Tuesdays tends to be faster than what ships out on Fridays? Maybe … you want to push more promotions on a Tuesday than a Friday, because that way the customer gets [their order] faster, then they're happier.”What to consider when choosing an AI solutionSome AI technology claims to do it all, while other solutions offer more specific capabilities. In Ben’s opinion, all-in-one tools aren’t necessarily the best bet right now. “In the early stages of innovation, the point solutions are almost always better. … But there will come a time in the next three to five years where [AI] evolves, and then you'll be able to find integrated platforms that can do it all.”LinksConnect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengordon18/Visit Cambridge Capital’s website: https://cambridgecapital.com/

Last week, Joe Dieter and Lori Boyer from EasyPost sat down to explore EasyPost tools that help businesses navigate the complexities of peak season. In this episode, they continue their discussion.Shipping can drive growthMost businesses view shipping as a “dreaded, unpredictable cost center”—but it doesn’t have to be. Joe explains, “[Shipping can be] a strategic growth lever. Do you want to make more money this holiday season? It can actually happen through how you ship. … You can increase profits if you have the latest and greatest tools and systems. And here at EasyPost, we've worked hard to … build [them].”Innovative carriers to try this peakThe EasyPost Shipping API makes it easy to use the shipping carriers you already know and love. But Joe points out that it also provides access to innovative carriers you may not have used yet, including Amazon Shipping and Maersk Parcel.“Amazon … came in and said, we're going to do seven-day-a-week pickup and delivery. We're going to decrease the amount of surcharges. … We're going to have hassle-free claims. We're going to have lower prices across the board.”“Maersk is going to become … one of the most cost-effective ways, especially for smaller shippers or SMB shippers, to move packages within the U.S.”Expecting the unexpected with EasyPost GuardJoe perfectly sums up one of the biggest challenges of peak season: “Nothing will ever go a hundred percent perfect. It's unpredictable.”To have peace of mind, he explains, you need a solution that protects revenue when packages get lost, damaged, or stolen. That’s why EasyPost created the Guard suite of tools.“Our Shipping Insurance API [provides] the most hassle-free way to file a claim, to hold onto your money, to get a claim approved, and to have instant coverage on a parcel. Our USPS Claims program is … the safest way to ship USPS this peak season.”LinksConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dieter/Talk to EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/talk-to-easypost/

Joe Dieter has talked with countless EasyPost customers. And lately, he’s heard the same concern from many of them: peak season 2025 is a whole new ballgame. Rising costs and unpredictable demand have many shippers scrambling to prepare.Joe’s advice for confronting the uncertainty? “Ship fast. Don't ship reckless. Be protected.”And EasyPost offers solutions to accomplish all three goals. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Joe and Lori discuss several tools (including a few brand new offerings) to help businesses ship successfully this peak.EasyPost Wallet makes it easy to use your favorite carriersThe EasyPost Shipping API has always helped businesses purchase shipping labels at great rates from their favorite carriers. Now, EasyPost Wallet is taking the convenience to the next level.Joe explains, “Wallet [allows] you to quickly get up and running with the carriers and service levels that [help you ship fast] without breaking the bank [or] juggling a lot of carrier relationships.”He continues, “You have one simple billing experience. You have one invoice experience. You're not having to submit all these customer care or support issues directly to carriers.” Advanced Tracking turns tracking into a brand-building opportunitySending customers tracking notifications is “table stakes,” reducing support tickets and ensuring that “you don’t have an angry consumer on your hands.”But the best brands are going beyond the basics, turning tracking notifications into strategic marketing messages.As Joe puts it, “It's not just, here's the latest update on all your packages. It's also, here's a story we want to tell you that's going to further build that relationship with you, the consumer.” The easiest way to level up your tracking? Use Advanced Tracking by EasyPost. “[It] not only gives you real-time updates, it gives you comprehensive, branded, AI-powered predictive tracking.”Forge allows marketplaces to offer a state-of-the-art shipping experienceMarketplaces want to offer easy, affordable shipping to their sellers (and their sellers’ customers). But they usually don’t have deep experience building the shipping technology that would allow them to do that. Enter: EasyPost Forge.“These big marketplaces do an incredible job of being a marketplace,” Joe explains. “But at their core, they weren't about a shipping operation. So we created something called Forge. Forge allows a marketplace to instantly set up the most reliable shipping software [they] could possibly offer.”LinksConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dieter/Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Peak season shipping can get complicated. International shipping can be a major headache. Combine the two, and it might seem like stress is inevitable. But if you follow the best practices recommended by Jonathan Witt, senior partnerships manager at Sendle, your peak season cross-border shipping can be successful and stress-free.The best way to get started If your business hasn’t yet expanded to international markets, Jonathan highly recommends getting started. His advice? Start small. “You don't have to ship everywhere. You don't have to sell globally. It's probably better that you are intentional and selective with countries that you want to sell to, because you want to understand the customer base, as well as all the requirements for shipping internationally.”Avoiding customs delaysDelays lead to frustrated customers—something you don’t want to deal with during the busiest time of the year. By understanding and complying with cross-border shipping regulations, you’ll ensure your goods clear customs and arrive on time.Jonathan shares a few things to watch out for. “Why do shipments get stuck? Usually because of missing or wrong documents, [like] your commercial invoice, which has all the product information.”He continues, “Make sure that on the commercial invoice, you're associating your products with the right HS code. Make sure that you're listing the country of origin correctly in case that package does get inspected.”DDP vs. DDU—what’s best?If you’re shipping internationally, delivered duty paid (DDP), “where the buyer or the receiver has to pay all the shipping costs and duties and taxes upfront at checkout,” is generally the best way to handle things. While delivered duty unpaid (DDU) can work in some situations, it’s best to avoid surprise fees upon package delivery.As Jonathan puts it, “Being a little bit more transparent … just makes a better customer experience.”LinksConnect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-witt-372a65b4/Visit Sendle’s website: https://www.sendle.com/en-us

July 2025 didn’t bring any earth-shattering developments—but that doesn’t mean nothing happened. When you look closely, you can see subtle but significant shifts in the realm of shipping and logistics. In this episode, Lori Boyer and Tim Ranagan discuss the latest trends and share some strategies for adapting. Here’s a rundown:Warehouse jobs have droppedThis time of year usually sees an increase in warehouse jobs as businesses start preparing for the holiday shipping season. But 2025 isn’t staying on script.Lori explains, “Typically, as we hit about July, from July through November … we see about 10,000 to 15,000 additional warehouse jobs open up. [But this] July, we actually lost almost 6,500 warehouse jobs. … We have our lowest number of total warehouse roles … since COVID.” Carriers compensate for low shipping volumeWarehouse labor isn’t the only thing on the decline. In July, domestic package volume dropped by 7.3% year-over-year. The result? Carriers—especially national ones—have been adjusting their operations and raising prices to protect their margins.“In the last month or so, FedEx [has] consolidated its network. It's been cutting staff. … [And] USPS just raised its rates again.”To keep shipping costs low, Lori and Tim recommend diversifying your carrier mix. As Lori puts it, “You shouldn't ever have a single carrier.”A tip to prepare for peak seasonWe’re coming up on a “peak season of uncertainty and a little challenge.” Amidst economic uncertainty and decreasing consumer demand, shippers should focus on flexibility. “You need to communicate, you need to diversify, [you need to] keep an eye on what's going on, and … be ready to pivot and make changes on the fly."LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/Visit EasyPost's website: https://www.easypost.com/